In his accomplished debut novel, Fortunate Son, David Marlett introduced readers to a fresh take on historical fiction, built around the transcripts of one of the most momentous legal trials in history. Now he returns with a dramatic new story and an equally dramatic trial. In 1907, deadly, one-eyed union boss "Big Bill" Haywood was accused of ordering the successful assassination-by-bombing of the governor of Idaho the first such assassination in American history. The trial, with Haywood represented by a young Clarence Darrow, was front-page news from coast to coast and across the globe. As it played out, it would present in vivid detail America's doomed thrust toward radical socialism, a "red" revolution that was gaining traction in Russia and other parts of the world. American Red brings the story of the events leading up to this trial and the trial itself to dramatic life. It is a sweeping tale of murder, adultery, corruption, mountain Mafia, the Pinkertons, domestic terrorism, government-sanctioned kidnapping, the last gunslingers, mining unions, and perhaps the greatest train race ever. It is both breathless entertainment and an unforgettable portrait of a younger America at the precipice of great change.
David Marlett is an award-winning storyteller and bestselling author. In 2014, his first historical legal thriller, Fortunate Son, was well reviewed and rose to #2 in historical fiction and #3 in literature and fiction in Amazon's rankings. In addition, David is a professor at Pepperdine Law School, has been published in a number of magazines, was Managing Editor of OMNI Magazine, and regularly guest-lectures on story design. He is the father of four, a graduate of The University of Texas School of Law, and currently lives in Manhattan Beach, California.
"American Red captures the excitement and violence of the West's early labor unrest."-- "Denver Post" "This is a big book filled with big characters and I very much recommend it. If you enjoy historical fiction this is for you, if you enjoy crime fiction this is for you, if you enjoy legal thrillers this is for you. If none of those genres is your cup of tea but you appreciate good writing regardless of the genre then I will recommend this to you."-- "My Reading Life" A cracking good tale! Part love story, part espionage thriller.--Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times bestselling author of DEEP END OF THE OCEAN A gripping story . . . unforgettable characters . . . fascinating.--Adam Benforado, New York Times bestselling author A stellar historical legal thriller of intrigue, adventure, engaging characters, and a fascinating backdrop. A true gem of a story.--Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author An important story of intensity and emotional pull. A compelling drama from our American past. Be prepared to be captured by this gifted storyteller.--Jeff Kamen, Emmy-winning NPR and NBC journalist and author In American Red, David Marlett expertly creates a time and place so real that you can't help but be taken in and enthralled by this most American of stories: the legal thriller. Add in the politics and the people -- a deeply drawn cast of characters from lawmen to lawyers -- and you have a page turner that holds you until the last train out. It's amazing storytelling.--Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author Vivid, well-researched, and told bare-knuckled, across a tapestry that is both broad and nuanced . . . with characters who are outsized and real. A historical novel to get lost in.--Mark Sullivan, International bestselling author of BENEATH A SCARLET SKY
